Burlington, KS (December 20, 2024) – Two teenagers were injured Thursday morning in a school bus crash at the intersection of Osborne and Martindale Streets in Burlington. The collision occurred at approximately 7:38 AM and involved a Burlington USD 244 school bus and a passenger vehicle.
According to the Burlington Police Department, a 17-year-old driver traveling east on Martindale Street failed to yield to the northbound school bus on Osborne Street. The bus struck the front right side of the teen’s vehicle. The driver later stated she believed she had enough time to cross the intersection.
The 17-year-old driver and her passenger, a 19-year-old from Burlington, were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. The bus driver, another adult, and 18 children aboard the school bus were unharmed.
The crash is under investigation, and further updates may be provided as authorities complete their review of the incident.
Our thoughts are with the injured teens, and we hope for their swift recovery.
School Bus Safety in Kansas
School bus crashes, while less common than other types of accidents, can pose significant risks due to the potential number of individuals involved. Intersections like Osborne and Martindale Streets are particularly prone to collisions caused by failure to yield or misjudging traffic gaps.
Kansas statistics show that a majority of school bus accidents result from errors such as distraction, impatience, or failure to adhere to traffic laws. Fortunately, school buses are designed with safety features to protect passengers, which likely contributed to the absence of injuries among the bus occupants in this crash.
Drivers are reminded to exercise caution when navigating intersections, particularly near school zones and during peak traffic hours. Yielding the right of way and staying vigilant are crucial to preventing accidents.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, contact Local Accident Reports for support and resources.